“The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.”
– Leonardo da Vinci

“A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.”
– Dave Meurer

Twenty-three years ago today, my feet were in excruciating pain. Those tootsies of mine were crammed into a pair of lovely teal-colored shoes that matched my lovely maid of honor dress.
The shoes, uncomfortable from the first fitting, would be worn only briefly, so how much pain could they cause?
A great deal, I was to learn.
I’ve been told by one of my favorite physicians in town that “God was not kind to me in the feet department.” And, I suppose, it’s true.
It’s a family thing. From both my mother’s and father’s sides of the family I have inherited bad feet. But I digress.
This column is not intended to be about less than fabulous feet. It is to be a celebratory piece, applauding my sister and my brother-in-law on the occasion of their 23rd wedding anniversary.
Except for my excruciating foot pain 23 years ago today, the day was joyous – filled with friends, family, flowers, flowing champagne, dancing – all because of the vows recited by Ann Elizabeth Criss and Timothy Andrew Cook.
They met in Huntsville, Ala., on a blind date arranged by a couple – she worked with Beth; he with Tim – who made the date a double.
They had dinner, went to a comedy club and went bowling. I remember my sister saying when she turned around and saw Tim and the couple getting their bowling balls and shoes out of the vehicle’s trunk, she knew she was in trouble.
Apparently, her bowling score made no difference in the course of true love.
Before I met my future brother-in-law I had questions. All these years later, I have no memory of them – or the answers.
I do remember two important things my sister told me about her fiancé that helped Tim shoot through the approval process as far as I was concerned.
He was a lover of cats. Oddly, some men are not, including our father, who always thought it was funny to regale our mother and his two daughters with the horrifying tale of how he and our uncle put a cat in a freezer. I refuse to believe it.
But back to my brother-in-law who would never jest about putting any animals in jeopardy.
The second – and most important Tim-ism in my book? He loved “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
That was all I needed to know. It was fine with me that he wanted to marry my little sister.
All these years later, it’s still OK. We have little in common, Tim and I. He knows more about computers than I will ever be able to learn or understand. Regarding politics we are polar opposites.
But he loves my sister. And he is the father of Bailey Elizabeth Cook, my one and only niece.
I’m certain this pair has much to celebrate today as they commemorate their wedding day, but I’d have to say, from my point of view, 15-year-old Bailey is the best thing ever.
Happy anniversary, kids.
leslie.criss@journalinc.com